Nov. 7, 2005

RICHARDSON, Texas - Hardin-Simmons' volleyball team swept the individual awards handed down by the American Southwest Conference on Monday morning, with Virginia Aguilar earning ASC West Player of the Year, Taylor McFarland winning ASC West Freshman of the Year and Hugh Hernesman was tabbed the ASC West Coach of the Year.

Aguilar, a junior middle blocker from Kahleo, Hawaii, and McFarland, a freshman outside hitter from Katy, were each named to the All-ASC team which honors the best players from each division.

Aguilar and McFarland were joined by teammate Chelsea Buetow on the first-team All-ASC West Division team. Megan Lawrence earned second-team All-ASC West honors and Amber Montgomery was named honorable mention All-ASC West.

Hernesman, who guided the Cowgirls to a 19-11 record and the first ASC West Division title, has turned the Cowgirls program from one of the weaker in the league when he arrived to a team that advanced to the conference finals in just two seasons.

--- HSU Athletics ---

AMERICAN SOUTHWEST CONFERENCE 2005 ALL-CONFERENCE VOLLEYBALL TEAM Virginia Aguilar MB Hardin-Simmons Jr. Kalaheo, Hawaii (Waimea HS) Diana Gonzalez MB Austin College Sr. El Paso, Texas (Mountain View HS) Angela Kopecki RS Texas Lutheran Jr. San Marcos, Texas (SMHS) Kaitlin Listol RS Austin College So. Richardson, Texas (Berkner HS) Taylor McFarland OH Hardin-Simmons Fr. Katy, Texas (KHS) Kari Meuth MB McMurry Sr. San Antonio, Texas (O'Connor HS) Veronica Stephens S Austin College Jr.. San Antonio, Texas (Clark HS) Arden Tunnell OH East Texas Baptist Sr. New Braunfels, Texas (Canyon HS)

ASC WEST DIVISION HONORS AND AWARDS ASC West Division First Team Virginia Aguilar MB Hardin-Simmons Jr. Kalaheo, Hawaii (Waimea HS) Chelsea Buetow OH/MB Hardin-Simmons So. Spring Branch, Texas (SBHS) Amanda Crawford OH Mary Hardin-Baylor Jr. Palestine, Texas (PHS) Michelle Heckmann MB Concordia-Austin So. Gatesville, Texas (GHS) Angela Kopecki RS Texas Lutheran Jr. San Marcos, Texas (SMHS) Taylor McFarland OH Hardin-Simmons Fr. Katy, Texas (KHS) Kari Meuth MB McMurry Sr. San Antonio, Texas (O'Connor HS) Athena Rivas MH Sul Ross State Sr. El Paso, Texas (Hanks HS)

ASC West Division Player of the Year: Virginia Aguilar, Middle Blocker, Jr., Hardin-Simmons University ASC West Division Newcomer of the Year: Taylor McFarland, Outside Hitter, Fr., Hardin-Simmons University ASC West Division Coach of the Year: Hugh Hernesman, Hardin-Simmons University

ASC West Division Second Team Mandy Bauer MB Texas Lutheran Jr. La Feria, Texas (LFHS) Kristen Eldridge OH Texas Lutheran So. Bastrop, Texas (BHS) Shannon Higgins S McMurry Fr. Big Spring, Texas (BSHS) Jamie Lassiter MB Texas Lutheran Fr. Richardson, Texas (Berkner HS) Megan Lawrence Opp Hardin-Simmons So. Abilene, Texas (AHS) Ashley Tibbetts MB McMurry Jr. Lindale, Texas (N. Central Texas College) Gabrielle Vigil L McMurry Fr. Santa Fe, N.M. (Capital HS) Raeanne Villalva OH Sul Ross State Jr. Seminole, Texas (SHS)

All-West Division Honorable Mention Kassie Barlow RS/MH Schreiner So. Harlingen, Texas (HHS) Whitney Barron L Schreiner Jr. Richmond, Texas (Foster HS) Destiny Barry MB Howard Payne Jr. Burnet, Texas (BHS) Annette Berain L Concordia-Austin Sr. San Antonio, Texas (Midland College) Lillian Chavez S Sul Ross State Sr. El Paso, Texas (Eastwood HS) Allison Daniel Opp Mary Hardin-Baylor Fr. Magnolia, Texas (MHS) Sandra Fish OH Howard Payne Jr. Burnet, Texas (BHS) Stephanie Little S Mary Hardin-Baylor So. Waxahachie, Texas (WHS) Amber Meeks OH Texas Lutheran So. Magnolia, Texas (MHS) Amber Montgomery OH/L Hardin-Simmons Fr. Amarillo, Texas (Randall HS) Regan Paul L/OH Texas Lutheran Jr. San Antonio, Texas (Alamo Hgts. HS) Katie Preuss MB Howard Payne So. Comfort, Texas (CHS) Megan Purser S Texas Lutheran So. Dickinson, Texas (DHS) Emerald Setzler OH Sul Ross State Sr. Monahans, Texas (MHS) Lacey Williams MB Mary Hardin-Baylor Fr. Caldwell, Texas (CHS) Brandi Woodard OH Mary Hardin-Baylor So. Killeen, Texas (KHS)